A Day of Curiosity and Challenge: Inside Alhambra’s First Gifted Summit

Gifted junior high students in the Alhambra School District recently stepped out of their typical classroom routines and into a day designed just for them…a day centered on curiosity, challenge, and thinking in entirely new ways.

The district hosted its first-ever Gifted Summit, bringing together advanced learners for a full day of hands-on sessions, problem-solving, and real-world exploration.

Led by MTSS Specialist and 2026 AAGT Gifted Leadership Award winner Kira Thomas along with Alhambra School District staff, the summit wasn’t about more work…it was about different work. The kind that asks students to stretch, question, collaborate, and sometimes even struggle a little (the good kind).

Students had the opportunity to choose from a variety of engaging sessions, each designed to tap into different ways of thinking:

• Engineering Under Pressure – presented by the Palo Verde Nuclear Power Plant, where students tackled challenges that required quick thinking, teamwork, and applied problem-solving
• Brain Games – led by Maryvale Gifted Academy high school students, giving participants a chance to sharpen logic and strategy skills while connecting with older gifted peers
• The Chemistry of Cooking – facilitated by Alhambra Child Nutrition, blending science and creativity in a way that made learning both tangible and delicious

Throughout the day, one thing was clear: when gifted learners are given the space to explore deeply and think differently, they rise to the occasion.

They asked better questions.
They made unexpected connections.
They leaned into challenges instead of avoiding them.

And maybe most importantly, they were surrounded by peers who think the way they do…which, as we all know, can be just as powerful as the learning itself.

This first Gifted Summit wasn’t just a one-day event. It was a glimpse into what’s possible when we intentionally create spaces that meet gifted students where they are…and then push them just a little further.

We can’t wait to see how this grows.